Hi Dan, Matt & Others,

The problem is:

Prefs > Project > Media Item Defaults > Create automatic fade in/out

The default setting is 0:00.010 i.e. a tiny fade in and out on every track.

This setting exists to prevent clicks at the start of media items (ie. when the waveform doesn't start at a zero crossing). So if you reduce it or disable this setting, you'll need to manually check and edit your audio to eliminate clicks when they occur (which you probably do anyway).

This doesn't make sense to me because it is not just the initial transient in a track/media item that sounds dull - it is every note.

The Solution is:

I set this to 0:00.000 in my Reaper System Wide Preferences. (I also set the crossfade to 0:00.000 just in case). Then I closed down and restarted Reaper (to make sure the new preferences were being used).
Then I imported some BIAB Wav (Media) files and Bingo - they are absolutely identical to when you listen to the same tracks in BIAB.

For me the improvement in sound quality was most evident in two handed piano tracks because Pianos have more harmonics than most other instruments.

I then went ahead and created a mix in Reaper and Boy - it was just so much quicker and easier. This is because it's easy to dull an instrument in Reaper (or any DAW) but completely recovering lost highs and mids is simply not possible. Exactly the same as a photo with blown highlights.

I hope this helps.

NB - Herb - Yes I use Ozone and most other Izotope products at various stages of mixing and mastering - great software!

Best Regards
Nigel






Last edited by NigelSpiers; 05/15/22 04:44 PM.
Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com